In 1970, my five brothers, my sister and I lived in the housing projects of Toronto with our parents. My father was a factory worker, and my mother stayed at home. Each year my father would dress up as Santa Claus and go through the streets of the projects sharing joy and candies with the children there. He loved it as much as they did!
But around the Christmas in 1970, my father was out of his job and money was tight. In fact, there was no money for Christmas and my parents weren’t sure what they’d provide for us.
That Christmas Eve, however, as usual, my father left the house dressed as Santa Claus. He knew that even though our Christmas would be hard, he could not disappoint the other kids in the neighborhood.
As my father left the house and went down the walkway, Santa Claus was walking up, with a great sack full of gifts for us! He said nothing, only smiled a sweet smile at my father, and wished him a Merry Christmas. The happy man handed Dad the sack and walked away down the block.
We never knew who the man was and who showed us great kindness on a snowy Christmas night. We do know, however, that without him we would have had nothing under the tree. His kindness gave my parents hope and showed us in a very real way the true meaning of Christmas.
Our family has never forgotten this kind stranger. Each year we tell the story of the mysterious Santa Claus and try to repay his gifts by giving gifts to others in need.
1.The author’s father ________.
A. was once the richest man in his hometown
B. was working in a government office
C. had to support a family of 9 people
D. looked like Santa Claus most
2.What happened in 1970?
A. The author’s father was out of work.
B. The author’s mother lost her job.
C. They had a little money left for Christmas.
D. They had the worst Christmas in their lives.
3.The author’s family knew ________.
A. who the mysterious Santa Claus was
B. why the mysterious Santa Claus helped them
C. how they could repay the mysterious Santa Claus
D. they could find the mysterious Santa Claus one day
4.It can be inferred（推断）that ________.
A. the mysterious Santa Claus was one of their relatives
B. the mysterious Santa Claus was a rich man in the area
C. the sack from the mysterious Santa Claus was very expensive
D. the author’s family were all thankful to the mysterious Santa Claus
1.C
2.A
3.C
4.D
【解析】
试题分析：文章讲述了一个关于圣诞节的故事。作者一家有九口人，靠爸爸在外工作来养家，每年的圣诞节，爸爸都会扮成圣诞老人，去街上给小朋友发礼物。而1970年，作者的爸爸失业了，但他仍然坚持去给孩子们发礼物。另外一个圣诞老人给了爸爸一大包礼物。
1.根据第一段第一句“In 1970, my five brothers, my sister and I lived in the housing projects of Toronto with our parents.”可知，作者家里有9个人，只有爸爸一人工作，因此，作者的爸爸要供养9个人。故选C。
2.根据第二段第一句“But around the Christmas in 1970, my father was out of his job and money was tight.”可知，作者的爸爸失去了工作，家里经济变得拮据。故选A。
3.根据第六段“Each year we tell the story of the mysterious Santa Claus and try to repay his gifts by giving gifts to others in need.”可知，作者一家人通过帮助需要帮助的人，来回报那个人。故选C。
4.根据第五段最后一句“His kindness gave my parents hope and showed us in a very real way the true meaning of Christmas.”和最后一段第一句“Our family has never forgotten this kind stranger.”可知，那个神秘人帮助了作者一家，让作者一家体会到了圣诞节的真正意义，他们一家人不会忘记那个人。故选D。
考点：故事类短文阅读
科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
The small unframed painting called “Fisherman” was signed by a little-known Italian artist, Maveleone (1669-1740). When it was sold recently in New York for $ 27000, the seller, Mr. Oliver Pitt, was asked to explain how the picture had come into his possession.
Pitt said, “I didn’t know it was so valuable. I’m not an art expert. Photography is my hobby. I bought ‘Fisherman’ in Italy in 1970 for $140．the picture was dirty, and I couldn’t see the artist’s signature. But anyway it wasn’t the picture that I like. I bought it because of the frame.”
“It’s most unusual frame, made of tiny, silvery sea-shells. They are set in such a way that they reflect perfect light onto the surface of a picture. I now have a photograph of my wife in that frame, and I’ll never part with it.”
“When I returned to New York I showed the painting in its frame to a customs officer. I told him that I had paid $140 for it but admitted I didn’t know its actual worth. The customs man valued it at $ 140, and I was asked to pay duty on that value. I did so, there and then.”
“Later, I took off the frame, and that uncovered Maveleone’s signature. My wife suggested in fun that the painting might be a valuable one, so I cleaned it and put it up for sale.”
As a result of his explanation, Oliver Pitt had to appear in court. He was accused of (指控) knowingly making a false statement of the value of a picture so as to cheat the Customs Department.
Pitt was not happy. “I told the truth as I knew it then,” he said, “What else could I say?”
And then the judge agreed with him. “The Customs Department is to be responsible (blame),” he said, “for making a true valuation of goods bought into the country, so that the correct amount of duty may be charged. Mr Pitt did not cause or try to cause the mistake that was made. He paid the duty that was demanded. If now, the Customs Department finds that its valuation was not correct, it cannot be allowed to have another try. Pitt is not guilty.
Pitt met the customs officer __________, where the officer was employed to ________.
A．at the railway station or airport; examine people’s baggage
B．at the airport or port; examine people’s baggage
C．at the bus-stop; help people enter the USA
D．at the airport or port; help people enter the USA
From the passage we can infer that if Maveleone had been a well-know artist _________.
A．the painting would have cost much more than $ 140
B．he wouldn’t have sold his painting at such a low price
C．the customs officer wouldn’t have valued the painting at $ 140
D．Pitt wouldn’t have had the intention to buy any of his paintings
Pitt took off the frame in order to ____________.
A．clean the painting to put it up for sale
B．look for the artist’s signature
C．use if for his wife’s photograph
D．find the painting’s true value
Which is true according to the passage?
A．Pitt knew the true value of the picture.
B．Pitt’s wife knew the true value of the picture.
C．When Pitt’s wife suggested keeping the picture, she was kind of joking.
D．Pitt didn’t pay any duty at all.
Which of the following statements is true to the story? In the end __________.
A．Pitt was asked to pay the correct amount of duty.
B．Pitt sold the frame of the painting at an even higher price.
C．The Customs Department had no right to revalue the painting.
D．Pitt’s wife was regarded as an expert because of her wise suggestion.
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科目：高中英语 来源：四川省雅安市2010届高三下学期第三次诊断性考试英语 题型：完型填空
第二节 完形填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该选项涂黑。
When middle-aged Alex quit his job and made up his mind to become a freelance (self-employed) writer, no one could tell for sure whether he would succeed or not. He found a cold storage room in a building, set up a(n) 21 typewriter and settled down to work.
After a year or so, however, Alex began to 22 himself. He found it is difficult to earn his living by 23 what he wrote. But Alex determined to put his dream to the test— 24 it meant living with uncertainty and fear of 25 . This is the Shadowland of hope, and 26 with a dream must learn to live there.
One day Alex got a call, "We need a (n) 27 , and we're paying $6,000 a year." $6,000 was 28
money in 1960, It would enable Alex to get a nice apartment, a used car and more. 29 , he could write on the side. 30 the dollars were dancing in Alex's head, something 31 his senses. He had dreamed of being a 32 —full time. "Thanks, but no," Alex said 33 . "I'm going to stick it out and write."
After Alex got off the phone, he 34 everything he had: two cans of vegetables and 18 cents. Alex put the cans and cents into a 35 bag, saying to himself, "There's everything you've made of yourself so far."
Finally his work was 36 in 1970. Instantly he had the kind of fame and success that 37 writers ever experience. The shadows had turned into limelight.
Then one day, Alex 38 a box filled with things he had owned years before. 39 was a paper bag with two cans and 18 cents. Suddenly he 40 himself working in that cold storage room. It reminds Alex, and anyone with a dream, of the courage and persistence it takes to stay the course in the shadowland.
21．A．used B．priceless C．excellent D．expensive
22．A．trust B．doubt C．regret D．hate
23．A．buying B．reading C．selling D．appreciating
24．A．What if B．Now that C．As if D．Even though
25．A．failure B．success C．loss D．perspiration
26．A．someone B．nobody C．anyone D．none
27．A．writer B．boss C．assistant D．manager
28．A．little B．false C．real D．high
29．A．Still B．Therefore C．However D．Besides
30．A．If B．Because C．As D．But
31．A．destroyed B．struck C．hurt D．cleared
32．A．dancer B．writer C．driver D．assistant
33．A．hurriedly B．slowly C．firmly D．hesitantly
34．A．pulled out B．pulled apart C．pulled down D．pulled back
35．A．plastic B．paper C．cloth D．metal
36．A．published B．completed C．written D．punished
37．A．poor B．few C．famous D．great
38．A．picked B．searched C．found D．sought
39．A．Outside B．Below C．Above D．Inside
40．A．reminded B．pictured C．described D．called
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科目：高中英语 来源：2012届吉林省白山市友好学校高三年级12月联考英语试卷 题型：阅读理解
When middle-aged Alex quit his job and made up his mind to become a self-employed writer, no one could tell for sure whether he would succeed or not．He found a cold storage room in a building, set up a used typewriter and settled down to work．
After a year or so, however, Alex began to doubt himself．He found it was difficult to earn his living by selling what he wrote．But Alex determined to put his dream to the test—even though it meant living with uncertainty and fear of failure．This is the shadowland（虚幻世界）of hope, and anyone with a dream must learn to live there．
One day Alex got a call, "We need an assistant, and we’re paying $ 6,000 a year．” $ 6,000 was real money in 1960．It would enable Alex to get a nice apartment, a used car and more．Besides, he could write in his spare time．As the dollars were dancing in Alex’s head, something cleared his senses．He had dreamed of being a writer? Full time．"Thanks, but no," Alex said firmly and swiftly, "I’m going to stick it out and write．"
After Alex got off the phone, he pulled out everything he had: two cans of vegetables and 18 cents．Alex put the cans and cents into a paper bag, saying to himself," There’s everything you’ve made of yourself so far．I’m not sure I ever felt so low．"
Finally his work was published in 1970．Instantly he had the kind of fame and success that few writers ever experienced．The shadows had turned into focus of attention．
Then one day, Alex found a box filled with things he had owned years before．Inside was a paper bag with two cans and 18 cents．Suddenly he pictured himself working in that cold storage room．It reminds Alex, and anyone with a dream, of the courage and persistence it takes to stay the course in the shadowland．
【小题1】Why did Alex give up his job?
| A．Because he didn’t like the working conditions． |
| B．Because he couldn’t earn enough to make a living． |
| C．Because he wanted to be a full-time writer． |
| D．Because he felt he had no potential in his job． |
| A．He refused the job offer． |
| B．He was willing to give them a hand． |
| C．He expected them to pay him more money． |
| D．He would write in his spare time． |
| A．Determined． | B．Modest | C．Shy． | D．Brave． |
| A．Look before you leap． |
| B．Two heads are better, than one． |
| C．Hold on to your dream, and it will come true． |
| D．A bird in hand is worth two in the bush． |
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科目：高中英语 来源：吉林一中2009—2010学年上学期期末高二（英语）试题 题型：阅读理解
The small unframed painting called “Fisherman” was signed by a little-known Italian artist, Maveleone (1669-1740). When it was sold recently in New York for $ 27000, the seller, Mr. Oliver Pitt, was asked to explain how the picture had come into his possession.
Pitt said, “I didn’t know it was so valuable. I’m not an art expert. Photography is my hobby. I bought ‘Fisherman’ in Italy in 1970 for $140．the picture was dirty, and I couldn’t see the artist’s signature. But anyway it wasn’t the picture that I like. I bought it because of the frame.”
“It’s most unusual frame, made of tiny, silvery sea-shells. They are set in such a way that they reflect perfect light onto the surface of a picture. I now have a photograph of my wife in that frame, and I’ll never part with it.”
“When I returned to New York I showed the painting in its frame to a customs officer. I told him that I had paid $140 for it but admitted I didn’t know its actual worth. The customs man valued it at $ 140, and I was asked to pay duty on that value. I did so, there and then.”
“Later, I took off the frame, and that uncovered Maveleone’s signature. My wife suggested in fun that the painting might be a valuable one, so I cleaned it and put it up for sale.”
As a result of his explanation, Oliver Pitt had to appear in court. He was accused of (指控) knowingly making a false statement of the value of a picture so as to cheat the Customs Department.
Pitt was not happy. “I told the truth as I knew it then,” he said, “What else could I say?”
And then the judge agreed with him. “The Customs Department is to be responsible (blame),” he said, “for making a true valuation of goods bought into the country, so that the correct amount of duty may be charged. Mr Pitt did not cause or try to cause the mistake that was made. He paid the duty that was demanded. If now, the Customs Department finds that its valuation was not correct, it cannot be allowed to have another try. Pitt is not guilty.
【小题1】Pitt met the customs officer __________, where the officer was employed to ________.
| A．at the railway station or airport; examine people’s baggage |
| B．at the airport or port; examine people’s baggage |
| C．at the bus-stop; help people enter the USA |
| D．at the airport or port; help people enter the USA |
| A．the painting would have cost much more than $ 140 |
| B．he wouldn’t have sold his painting at such a low price |
| C．the customs officer wouldn’t have valued the painting at $ 140 |
| D．Pitt wouldn’t have had the intention to buy any of his paintings |
| A．clean the painting to put it up for sale |
| B．look for the artist’s signature |
| C．use if for his wife’s photograph |
| D．find the painting’s true value |
| A．Pitt knew the true value of the picture. |
| B．Pitt’s wife knew the true value of the picture. |
| C．When Pitt’s wife suggested keeping the picture, she was kind of joking. |
| D．Pitt didn’t pay any duty at all. |
| A．Pitt was asked to pay the correct amount of duty. |
| B．Pitt sold the frame of the painting at an even higher price. |
| C．The Customs Department had no right to revalue the painting. |
| D．Pitt’s wife was regarded as an expert because of her wise suggestion. |
查看答案和解析>>
科目：高中英语 来源：2012届重庆市万州二中高三上学期期中考试（英语） 题型：阅读理解
When middle-aged Alex gave up his job and made up his mind to become a self-employed writer, no one could tell surely
whether he would succeed or not．He found a cold storage room in a building, set up a used typewriter and settled down to work．
After a year or so, however, Alex began to doubt himself．He found it was difficult to earn his living by selling what he wrote．But Alex determined to put his dream to the test-even though it meant living with uncertainty and fear of failure．This is the shadow land （虚幻世界） of hope, and anyone with a dream must learn to live there．
One day Alex got a call, "We need an assistant, and we're paying $ 6,000 a yea
r．" $ 6,000 was real money in 1960．It would enable Alex to get a nice apartment, a used car and more．Besides, he could write in his spare time．As the dollars were dancing in Alex's head, something cleared his senses．He had dreamed of being a fulltime writer．"Thanks, but no," Alex said firmly and swiftly.
After Alex got off the phone, he pulled out everything he had: two cans of vegetables and 18 cents．Alex put the cans and cents into a paper bag, saying to himself," There's everything you've made of yourself so far．I'm not sure I ever felt so low．"
Finally his work was published in 1970．Instantly he had the kind of fame and success that few writers ever experience．The shadows had turned into focus of attention．
Then one day, Alex found a box filled with things he had owned years before．Inside was a paper bag with two cans and 18 cents．Suddenly he pictured himself working in that cold storage room．It reminds Alex, and anyone with a dream, of the courage and persistence （坚毅） it takes to stay the course (坚持到底)in the shadow land．
【小题1】Why did Alex give up his job?
| A．Because he didn't like the working conditions． |
| B．Because he couldn't earn enough to make a living． |
| C．Because he felt he had no potential in his job． |
D．Because he wanted to be a full-time writer． |
ress when he answered the call?| A．He refused the job offer． |
| B．He was willing to give them a hand． |
| C．He expected them to pay him more money． |
| D．He would write in his spare time． |
| A．Determined． | B．Modest． | C．Shy． | D．Brave． |
| A．Look before you leap． | B．Two heads are better, than one． |
| C．Hold on to your dream, and it will come true． | D．A bird in hand is worth two in the bush． |
查看答案和解析>>
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